Boom!
The statement shocked everyone. The atmosphere tensed up instantly. Steve’s mood immediately took a dive. Amber’s mother’s expression also darkened. Minister Mable and Director Lansing were both stunned.
“Mr. Warnock, Jack will not take a fake antique to present as a gift.” Amber quickly came to Jack’s defense.
This was the first time Jack met her parents. With her family background, her parents would not take issue with the value of Jack’s gift but if the gift was fake, then it would take a different meaning! That meant that he was insincere and disrespectful to the recipient of the gift.
“Yes, Warnock, have a good look. Don’t accuse him unnecessarily.” Director Lansing sided with Amber. He knew about Jack’s identity and how could he give a fake gift? He was certain that Artist Warnock made a mistake!
Minister Mable also said, “Warnock, you just had a glance. You must have seen wrongly. You are always so rash. Why are you so quick to make a judgment?”
“Who says?” Artist Warnock glared at Minister Mable.
He was one of the Master artists of the country and internationally renowned. Each of his artwork was valued in the millions of yuan. He was immersed in the art world for decades and had assessed countless antique artwork.
Perhaps he can make a mistake for other pieces of antique artwork. But for the calligraphy of Tang Bohu’s ‘Voyage of Qiantang’, he can distinguish the fake from the original with just a glance!
“You…”
Minister Mable’s eyes twitched, he looked at Jack and then back towards Artist Warnock and said, “You stubborn ass, today Amber brought his boyfriend to meet her parents, why do you have to be such a killjoy?”
How can the son of the Hughes family give a fake artwork? Wasn’t that an international disgrace?
If this were to antagonize Jack, with a word from the Hughes family, Warnock’s reputation would be at stake even if he was a renowned master artist.
“Mable, why are you blaming me?”
Artist Warnock said solemnly, “Do you think that my title as the country’s master artist was freely given to me? I can’t accept that this young man gave Steve a fake painting on their first meeting. The significance of a gift is of utmost importance. If you can’t afford an expensive gift then you can give a cheaper gift but it can’t be a fake!”
Minister Mable and Director Lansing were gripped by anxiety and their hearts raced. The two of them exchanged looks but were helpless. Warnock was clearly threading on the razor’s edge. He was making a huge mistake!
But they were very clear how stubborn Warnock was. When it came to artwork, he couldn’t accept any inadequacies.
“Mr. Warnock, please explain why do you think that this is a fake.” Jack was calm and smiled. The drawing was prepared by Mr. Ward and he didn’t view it after receiving it. But he believed that Mr. Ward wouldn’t give him a fake artwork to present it as a gift.
Minister Mable and Director Lansing’s hearts sank.
“Ah! You’re rather calm even when challenged by an expert!” Artist Warnock scoffed and arrogantly said, “Okay, I’ll let the facts convince you. I’ll teach you not to challenge a master artist like me with a fake artwork!”
After he said, he looked at Steve, and politely said, “Steve, please be patient with me.” Steve smiled faintly and nodded. He then looked coldly at Jack.
He was not at all impressed with Jack’s status. Although Jack had performed very well with DT Real Estate Agency, those achievements were insignificant in Steve’s eyes. But Jack’s temperament was something that had Steve’s approval. However, the fake artwork totally dashed whatever good impression he had of Jack.
Amber was panicking inside her and grabbed Jack’s hand tightly. She was so anxious that her palms were perspiring. She wanted to help Jack with an explanation but now that the situation had devolved to this stage, it was no longer within her abilities.
Warnock took up the ’Voyage of Qiantang’ and didn’t even look at it. With a lofty expression and said with full of confidence, “ ‘Voyage of Qiantang’ was a masterpiece of Tang Yin, with Tang Yin’s reputation in the art industry, this drawing’s value was worth 24.64 Million yuan three years ago!”
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